Multicontact electrical connector



Nov. 13, 1956 A. ESCHNER, JR 2,770,788

MULTICONTACT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed May 31, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wye-Wax. 415.4!7 [AZ/V4456, 476.,

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. e v 5. 2,770,788 I MULTICONTACTV ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Albert Eschner, Jr., Culver City, Calif., assignor to Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application May 31, 1955, Serial No. 511,850

Claims. 01. 339-198 between a plurality of electrical leads. or other current carrying elements, considerable difficulty is often experienced in obtaining proper contact pressure between contact members, While still permitting manual separation of-components of the connector. In other words, in all types of connectors wherein a considerable number of connections must simultaneously be made and/or broken,

.it has been common practice heretofore to employ pins,

leaves or other bodies, inserted between or into resilient gripping members, in order that the required pressure may be maintained between these elements to enable the transmission of electrical energy therethrough. .Upon the making or breaking of the connection, composite frictional forces are built up to a level requiring levers, cams or other mechanical arrangements foreifecting relative movement of the various elements of the connectors. Unless proper pressure is maintained between contacts, under certain detrimental conditions such as shock, .vibration and the like, considerable noise or interruption in electrical flow through the connector will be experienced. Additionally, connectors incorporating elements that are fitted loosely enough to permit manual connection and disconnection are frequently subject to corrosive action and/or other types of detrimental deterioration .that will naturally result in poor or even non-existent connections.

In other instances, prior electrical connectors have been provided with a plurality of connector elements that are not only maintained in a permanent condition relative .to a supporting 'body, but in addition, are associated with complex body forms. In this connection, it is important that connector elements be arrangedin association with body forms in such a manner as to permit replacement and/or repair thereof in the event of damage to one or more of several adjacently disposed elements. The matter of particular body forms also becomes important relative to the necessity for interchangeability thereof, the maintenance of low production costs and ultimate service or repair of this type of unit. I

It is accordingly, one important object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector having means enabling application of variable contact-pressures "to connector elements incorporated therein.

It is another important object of the presentinvention to provide an electrical connector having individually positioned and disposed connector elements plurally arranged in association with a connector body, whereby I tween contact elements; and

substantially on line 1111, Fig. 10. 3

Patented N 0v. 13, ,19 5

ments toward each other, thus to establish proper contactpressures between such elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel means for releasing established contact pressure between contact elements when it is desired to separate multiple contact carrying units. A further important object of the present-invention is to provide novel means for supporting at least one element of a connector unit in operative association ;with adjacent panels, bulkheads or other adjacent surfaces or objects.

, Other and further important objects of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following detailed specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one form of the present electrical connector; I

Fig. 2 is a'transverse view partially in section through the present connector showing the components in connected relationships; a

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional viewthrough the connected electrical connector of the present invention. as taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3, Fig; 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3' through another'portion of the present electrical connector as taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4,. Fig. 2; 'Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a'modified use situation for the present electrical connector; Fig. 6 is another sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a further modified use of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through one of the connectorunits showing a modified means for connecting universal connector bodies in operative association with each other;

tween contact elements;

Fig. 9 is a further longitudinal sectional view similar to a'portion of Fig. 2 and showing another modified means for releasably maintaining desired contact pressures between contact elements; t

Fig. 10 is still another sectional view similar to Figs.

Sand 9 and showing still another method of releasably applying and maintaining desired contact pressures be- Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the modified arrangement of Fig. 10 and taken With reference to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote like parts, the electrical connector of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 as comprising generally connector units 20 and 21. The units 20 and as illustrated in Fig. 2. In one form of the invention,

each of the units 20 and 21 has connector bodies 22 forming a portion thereof and universally used throughout these units. Each of the bodies 22 is made from elongated dielectric material such as, for example, plastic, glass, rubber or the like, which may be extruded in a'continuous strip and cut to the desired lengths. While it will b'e'recoghize'd that the present bodies may assume various ton- '2 t fig'urations depending upon the ultimate use thereof,

means must be provided for maintaining such bodies in operative association with each other. Accordingly, the bodies 22 further include a generally T-shaped elongated groove 23 along one of the sides thereof and spaced approximately equidistant from upper and lower edges 24 thereof. An elongated rib 25, that is generally rectangular in cross section, is provided on the sides of the bodies 22 remote from the T-shape groove 23 and positioned nearer one of the edges 24. It is to be understood that the bodies 22 may be of any desired length in accordance with the requirements of particular installation situations.

The bodies 22 are retained in operative association and spaced relationship, with regard to each other, by means of a pair of elongated relatively flat bars 26, the ends of which are attached to blocks 27 by any suitable fastening means such as rivets or screws 28. The bars 26 are adapted for disposition in the T-shaped grooves 23 with one of the blocks 27 being secured to the bars after insertion of the bars in the grooves. It will, therefore, be

noted that the bodies 22 will be maintained with the ribs in parallel spaced relation-ship.

As shown primarily in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the elongated ribs 25 serve to support a plurality of electric contact elements 30, in the unit 20, and contact elements 31 in the unit 21. The contacts are made from flat elongated strips of current carrying material with one of the ends thereof being provided with openings 32 to provide connecting means for electrical leads or wires, the other ends being provided with raised contact surface portions 33, the outer ends of which, together with the ends of the contacts, being bevelled as at 34. The contacts 31 are similar to the contacts 30 and :are provided with openings 35 on one end thereof and raised contact surface portions 36 adjacent to the other end thereof. It is to be noted that the contact surface portions 33 extend parallel to the contacts 30, while the contact surface portions 36 are disposed transversely of the contacts 31. Thus, upon disposition of the contacts 30 and 31 with the surfaces 33 and 36 in contacting relationship, a point contact connection will be made therebetween with tolerances as to the disposition and length of surface portions 33 and 36 being relatively wide. The contacts 30 and 31 are each maintained within the units 20 and 21 respectively by means of generally rectangular notches 37 that are formed on each side thereof and adapted for cooperation with the ribs 25 of the bodies 22. It is to be noted that the notches 37 are somewhat larger than the ribs 25 so as to permit free movement of the contacts along the ribs and slight angular displacement thereof.

The contacts 30 are maintained in longitudinal spaced relationship by means of spacers 40 and 41. These spacers are formed from any suitable dielectric materiaLare disposed adjacent each other between the contacts 30 and are each provided with notches 42 and 43 respectively which are adapted for disposition about the ribs 25. The spacers 40 are transversely somewhat longer than the spacers 41 and extend beyond the bevelled ends 34 of the contacts 30. Additionally, the extended ends of the spacers 40 "are also bevelled as at 44 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. It may be seen that, if desired, the spacer 40 and 41 may be integrally formed; however, individual formation of these components lends greater contact placement flexibility to the present connector arrangement.

The contacts 31, like the contacts 30, are also maintained in spaced longitudinal relationship by means of spacers 45, of dielectric material, that are each provided with notches 46 which are adapted for cooperation with the ribs 25 of the bodies 22 associated with the connector unit 21.

It may thus be seen that the units 20 and 21 may be assembled with the various contact members and spacers disposed beyond the ribs 25, thus loosely to maintain these elements in association with the connector units. In order that proper and required pressures may be established and maintained between the surface portions 33 and 36 of the contacts 30 and 31 respectively, a pressure element 50 of dielectric material is disposed adjacent an endmost contact 31. The element 50 is provided with side notches 51 which cooperate with the ribs 25 of the connector unit 21. One side of the element 50 is further provided with a recess 52 which faces away from the associated contact 31. Additionally, one or the other or both ofthe blocks 27, disposed on the ends of the connector units 20 and 21, are provided with a common recess 53, a conical compression spring 54 being disposed between the recesses 52 and 53. The spring 54 acts through the pressure element 50, all of the contacts 30 and 31 and spacers 40, 41 and 45 to urge contact surface portions 33 and 36 into tight engagement with each other. It should be understood that the longitudinal lengths of the spacers 40, 41 and 45 are slightly less than the required spaces between the contact elements, so as to permit the aforementioned tight engagement at the surface portions 33 and 36. Additionally, it is to be noted that the bevelled ends of the spacers 40 have side portions that are adapted for engagement with sides of the contacts 31 opposite from the transversely disposed contact surface portions 36, thus to effect additional transverse pressure between the contact surfaces in the area of these surfaces and as transmitted thereto by means of the compression spring 54. I

Accordingly, upon removal of the compression spring 54, pressure on the various contacts, and contact surface portions employed in the connector arrangement of the present invention, would be relieved whereby to enable free separation of the connector units 20 and 21 and reestablishment of the connection therebetween. The spring 54 is adapted for disposition in the recesses 52 and 53 following interleaved disposition of the various contact members 30 and 31. It is to be noted that the bevelled ends 34 of the contacts 30 and the bevelled ends 44 of the spacers 40 serve to reduce any interference that may be encountered upon establishment of the interleaved association of the contacts 30 and 31. It is to be understood that the particular relationship and placement of the spring 54 in association with the plugs 27 is merely'by way of example, as will be pointed out hereinafter in relation to other forms of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, end portions of the bars 26, extending beyond transverse ends of the bodies 22, may be fitted with integral outwardly disposed brackets 60 that are adapted for connection with a panel or the like indicated at 61 as by suitable connection means 62. The panel 61 may be provided with an enlarged opening 63 spaced on each side of the contacts 31. Thus, the connector unit 21 may be permanently attached to the panel 61 while the connector unit 20 may be secured to other units and/ or a plurality of wire leads 64 or the like. Obviously, the contact 31 may be connected to leads 65 extending to any desired position.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6 it is to be noted that the unit 21 maybe secured to the panel 61 as by other means such as, for example, a bracket arrangement 70, Fig. 5, that is attached to or formed integrally with the bars 26, disposed outwardly from portions of the T- shaped grooves 23 and attached to the panel by the fastening or connecting means 62. In this instance, the panel 61 would also be provided with the enlarged opening 63 that is spaced from the contacts 31. The form of attachment shown in Fig. 6 may be used in situations requiring a sealed construction with reference to an enlarged opening 71 in the panel 61. In this form of the invention, a pair of bars 72 may replace the bars 26, with the bars 72 having transversely extending portions 73 that are, in turn, connected to the panel 61 by means of the connecting means 62. Thus, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the opening 71 will be filledby the outer surfaces of the pair of bodies 22.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of the invention is shown wherein bodies 22 are provided with a plurality of spaced inserts 75 that are molded in the bodies and extend laterally therefrom. Interconnecting and supporting bars 76 may be disposed on outer surfaces 77 of the bodies 22 and secured thereon by means of screws 78, or the like, which'threadably engage the inserts 75. In this form of the invention, the bars 76 are adapted. for attachment to end plugs 80 in a manner similar to the attachment of the previously described form of the invention to the end plugs 27. Thus, a more rigid construction may be established in accordance with the principles of the present invention through use of the modified form of connection between the bodies 22 which serve to make up one of the connector units.

With reference to Fig. 8, it may be seen that the desired compression exerted by the compression spring 54 may be established by different means. In this form of the invention, the spring 54 is disposed between the pressure applying member 50 and a movable spring carrying member 85. The member 85 is provided with a side recess 86, for reception of the larger end of the conical compression spring 54, and is further provided with longitudinal grooves 87 on each side thereof which are adapted for disposition about the ribs 25 associated with connector unit 21. The spring carrying member 85 may be maintained in a longitudinal position on the ribs 25, associated with the connector unit 21, by any suitable means and may, if desired, be retained in this position by means of a latch established by an armature 88 extending from a solenoid 90. The solenoid 90, together with the connector unit 21, are connected to a common base structure indicated generally at 91. The outer end of the armature 88 is bevelled as at 92 to permit extension thereof over an end surface 93 of the spring carrying member 85. Upon energization of the solenoid 90, the armature 88 will be withdrawn from its position engaging the surface 93, thus permitting relaxation of the compression spring 54 and reduction of the pressure applied to the contacting surfaces of the various connectors 30 and 31. This particular arrangement is useful in situations where rapid release of one connector unit from the other is desired in response to a predetermined electrical signal.

In some instances, it may be desirable to exert con siderable pressure on the compression spring 54. As shown in Fig. 9, a modified form spring carrying member 95 is slidably disposed on the ribs 25, by means of longitudinal grooves 96 formed therein. The springcarrying member 95 is provided with a side recess 97 for reception of one end of the compression spring 54, the other end of the spring being disposed in the recess 52 in the pressure element 50. The spring carrying member 95 has a bevelled end portion 98 against which a force transmitting member 100, having a bevelled surface 101, is positioned. The force transmitting member 100 is disposed Within an opening 102 in an end block 103, there being an opening 104 in another end block 105. The end block 103 is associated with the connector unit 20 while the block 105 forms a portion of the connector unit 21. A screw 106 is disposed longitudinally through an opening 107 in the force transmitting member 100 and through a lip 108 formed on one side of the opening 104. A nut or the like 110 is threadably secured to the outer end of screw 106. Upon rotation of the nut 110 on the threads of the screw 106, the force transmitting member 100 will be moved toward the space 104, thus effecting relative movement between the bevelled surfaces 98 and 101 and longitudinal movement of the spring carrying member95 along the ribs 25 for compression of the spring 54. The force on the spring 54 may obviously be relieved by rotation of the nut 110 in an opposite direction from that previously described.

In Figs. l and 11, a further modified form" of the was;

invention is shown wherein in a direction to compress the spring 54. In this form of the invention, blocks and 116 are provided respectively on the ends of the connector units 20 and 21 and secured in position by the bars 76, for example.

the recesses 118 and 120 cooperate to form-a chamber' between the blocks 111 and 116. A shaft 121 is journalled in a bore 122 extending between the recesses 117 and 118. The upper end of the shaft 121 is fitted with a head 123, a locking member or cam 124 being secured to the lower end of shaft 121 as by means of a nut 125. A sleeve 126 is disposed between the lock member 124 and the base of the recess 122 whereby to support the locking member in a central position between the recesses 118 and 120. It is to be noted that, upon rotation of the shaft 121, the locking member 124 will be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 11, with an end thereof being adapted for engagement with the surface 93 of the spring carrying member 85, whereby longitudinally to move the spring carrying member and to compress the spring 54. A stop pin 127.is disposed from the block 116 and extends into the chamber defined by the recesses 118 and 120. The stop pin 127 limits rotation of the locking member 124 in a direction to move the spring carrying member 85 and compresses the spring 54.

It may thus be seen that upon utilization of the universal components of the present invention, various arrangements may be established and various means may be utilized to effect latching, exertion of compression,

releasing of compression and support of the contact elements, connector units, spacers and other components utilized in the present invention. The novel universal connector arrangement is thereby provided with universal components arranged in a manner enabling a plurality of forms of the invention, as may be required in connection with various types of electrical and electronic equipment.

Having thus described the invention and the present embodiments thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following,

claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector comprising, in combinalationship to another of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of contact mem- I bers; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs;

spacers disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each'of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement; and pressure applying means disposed longitudinally between a portion of said body member securing means and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs, whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight contact with each other following said interleaving of a further alternative arrange. ment is disclosed for urging the spring carrying member.

tially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free in terleaved frictional engagement; and pressure applying means disposed longitudinally between said block means of said body member securing means and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs, whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight contact with each other following said interleaving of said contact members.

3. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of dielectric material disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body mem bers being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, said contact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members being disposed normal to each other; and pressure applying means disposed longitudinally between a portion of said body member securing means and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs, whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight contact with each other following said interleaving of said contact members.

4. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of dielectric material disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, said contact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members being disposed normal to each other; and pressure applying means disposed longitudinally between said block means of said body member securing means and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs, whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight contact with each other following said interleaving of said contact members.

5. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of r dielectric material disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, saidtcontact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members being disposed normal to each other; pressure applying means disposed longitudinally between said block means of said body member securing means and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight contact with each other following said interleaving of said contact members; and means for releasing said pressure applying means prior to separation of said interleaved contact members.

6. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members, having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement; a force transmitting block disposed on said ribs of one of said pairs of body members; a compression spring positioned between said transmitting block and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs; and means for moving said transmitting block longitudinally along said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight engagement with each other following said interleaving of said contact members.

7. An electric connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of con-tact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement; a force transmitting block disposed on said ribs of one of said pairs of body members; a compression spring positioned between said transmitting block and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs; means for moving said transmitting block longitudinally along said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight engagement with each other following said interleaving of said contact members; and means for releasing said moving means for said transmitting block.

8. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of dielectric material disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, said contact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members being disposed normal to each other; a force transmitting block disposed on said ribs of one of said pairs of body members; a compression spring positioned between said transmitting block and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs; and means for moving said transmitting block longitudinally along said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight engagement with each other following said interleaving of said contact members.

9. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a. plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of dielectric material disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, said contact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members beingdisposed normal to each other; a force transmitting block disposed on said ribs of one of said pairs of body members; a compression spring positioned between said transmitting block and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs; means for moving said transmitting block longitudinally along said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight engagement with each other following said interleaving of said contact members; and means for releasing said moving means for said transmitting block.

10. An electrical connector comprising, in combination: two pairs of elongated dielectric body members of substantially identical cross sectional configuration; means disposed along entire sides of said body members for securing each body member of said pairs in spaced relationship to another of said body members; block means carried by ends of said securing means for connecting said ends, said block means engaging ends of said body members; longitudinally extending ribs on each of said body members, said ribs being disposed in facing spaced relationship in each of said pairs of body members; a plurality of relatively thin metallic contact members; notches in sides of said contact members, said notches being adapted for disposition over said ribs; spacers of dielectric mate rial disposed on said ribs between said contact members, said contact members having end portions adapted for extension from the space defined between each of said pairs of said body members on at least one side thereof; contact surfaces on said extended end portions of said contact members, said contact surfaces carried by said contact members carried by each of said pairs of body members being adapted for free interleaved frictional engagement, said contact surfaces being elongated with contact surfaces of adjacent contact members being disposed normal to each other; a force transmitting block disposed on said ribs of one of said pairs of body members; a conical compression spring positioned between said transmit-ting block and one end of said plurality of contact members and acting on a line parallel to said ribs; cam means carried by one of said block means for moving said transmitting block longitudinally along said ribs whereby to bias said contact surfaces into tight engagement with each other following said interleaving of said contact members; and latch means operatively associated with said cam means for releasing said moving means for said transmitting block.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

